LB · New York Giants
Lawrence Taylor
Changed protection rules and roster priorities
Open player profile →
NFL archetype · Defensive front
Edge pass rusher
Elite edge rushers affect more than sacks. They shorten the quarterback's clock, draw chips and double teams and determine which routes can enter the concept.
Collapse the pocket
A defender who wins the corner with speed or converts that threat into power, forcing the offense to change its protection plan.
This is a role family, not a rigid label. Great players can belong to more than one archetype.
01
Get-off speed
02
Pass-rush counters
03
Edge setting
04
Protection gravity
Different expressions of the role
Representative players
Continue learning the roles
Related archetypes
Win before the snap
Quarterbacks
Field-general quarterback
A pocket passer who diagnoses leverage, changes the play and turns coverage answers into routine completions.
Pre-snap diagnosisAnticipationProtection control
Manning · Brady · Montana · Burrow
Study the archetype →
Aggression changes the field
Quarterbacks
Gunslinger quarterback
A passer willing to attack tight windows and deep space, accepting risk because one throw can overturn the game.
Arm talentTight-window confidenceVertical aggression
Favre · Marino · Stafford · Allen
Study the archetype →
Defend all eleven
Quarterbacks
Dual-threat quarterback
A quarterback whose designed runs and open-field ability make the defense account for one more ball carrier on every snap.
Designed-run valueOpen-field elusivenessOption-game stress
Jackson · Newton · Young · Hurts
Study the archetype →